Religious article



March 11, 1969 M. E. Jus-nce RELIGIOUS ARTICLE Filed Feb. 7, 1967 INVENTOR. MARY E. JUSTICE United States Patent Q 3,431,958 RELIGIOUS ARTICLE Mary E. Justice, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., assignor to The Rector, `Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Saint Pauls Church, Ossining, Ossiuiug, N.Y., a religious corporation of New York Filed Feb. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 614,427

U.S. Cl. 150-52 Int. Cl. B65d 65/22, 65/ 02, 65/04 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to religious articles and more particularly to a religious article in the form of an altar vestment.

In many liturgical churches, it is the practice to provide dilferent altar vestments for different seasons and/ or days of the church year. The principal distinction between those vestments is in the color of the part thereof providing the decorative frontal panel for the altar. Traditionally, the colors for such panel are red, green, purple or White. The Churchmans Ordo Kalendar (published by the Ashby Company, Erie, Pa.) gives a complete schedule for the color of the frontal panel which is appropriate for any particular day of the church year.

While, as stated, the different altar vestments used in liturgical churches are distinguished mainly by the color of the frontal panel, occasions may arise when it is desired to display different religious emblems on the front of the altar.

Thus, taking only the parameter of variation of the color of the frontal panel, at least four different frontal panels are necessary to fuliill traditional liturgical practices, and, if there is added to color variation a desire to have a choice in the emblem on the front of the altar, the frontal panels necessary to yield all desired combinations of color and emblem may rise to a number much greater than four.

Hitherto, an altar frontal panel has been an integral part of the remainder of the altar cover. Therefore, to satisfy the traditional liturgical changes in the color of the frontal panel, it has been necessary to have at least four different whole altar covers (with frontal panels of red, green, purple, and white, respectively) and an even larger number of Such whole covers if a choice, independent of color, is desired for the emblem or other design work on the front of the altar.

The necessity of maintaining such a large selection of different whole altar covers is however, disadvantageous n for the following reasons. First, because such altar covers are made entirely of decorative fabric which is usually of heavy weight per Square foot, the covers as a whole are unduly heavy (e.g., 25 to 50 lbs. each) and are awkward and burdensome to change, particularly for women. Second, since only one cover is used at a time, the rest of the covers must be stored and, while stored, must be hung in a special way, and to store a large number of whole covers in such manner requires an unduly large storage space. Third, even one altar cover is expensive to fabricate or purchase, and, when a large number of whole altar 3,431,958 Patented Mar. l1, 1969 ice covers are needed to satisfy liturgical requirements in respect to color change and/or design change, the expense of acquiring and of cleaning and otherwise maintaining that large number of covers becomes very great.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to obviate one or more of the above-noted disadvantages of conventional altar vestments.

The object just stated and other objects are realized according to the invention by providin-g an altar vestment comprised of separate coverings for the sides of the altar and for the center thereof. The center covering for the -altar provides the decorative frontal panel and is removable from the covering for the sides of the altar. Moreover, the center covering is change able to permit diierent colors and/or designs to be displayed by the front panel. Such changeability of the front panel may be realized either by replacing one whole center covering by another or by reversing the same center covering (frontto-back or inside-to-outside or Iboth) so as to utilize a different facing portion of the covering as the displayed frontal panel.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description of representative embodiments thereof and to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a plan and developed view of an exemplary altar vestment according to the invention, the entire vestment being spread out to lie at above the top of an altar;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the vest-ment of FIG. 1 when darped over the altar;

FIG. 3 is a plan and developed view of an overpiece Iadapted to replace the overpiece of the cover of FIG. l;

and

FIGS. 4-6 are side elevation views in cross-section of the overpiece of the cover of FIG. l as modified to be reversible in various Ways.

Referring now to FIG. l, the reference numeral 9 designates an altar of the table type of which the outline of the top is shown by the dotted line to which the lead line for reference numeral 9 is connected. Spread-out flat above the altar top is a portion 10I of the altar cover denoted herein as the underpiece. The underpiece 10 is in the form of a sheet comprised of a pair of side aps 11 and 12 each having rounded corners 13. The flaps are constituted of a relatively expensive, decorati-ve fabric of heavy weight and with thick nap, such as, for example, velvet or velour. Both flaps are of the same color which is a dark or moderately dark neutral tone (e.g., black, gray-green, brown, buff). The ilaps provide the color of the back-ground or field for the altar frontal panel, and that background or iield `color may be one which is traditional to the church in which the altar is used. The material of the side flaps 11 and 12 -may be joined by a central stretch of the same material so that underpiece 10 is a seamless sheet. Such construction is not, however, preferred because; it renders they underpiece unduly expensive and heavy. Alternatively, since (as later described) the central portion of the underpiece is concealed, that central portion may be void of material except for fabric ribbons or cords connecting the side aps. In the latter instance, however, it is sometimes diilicult to get the side aps to hang properly.

Accordingly, the preferred construction is for the central portion of the underpiece to be provided (as shown) by a web 15 of fabric stitched to the side flaps 11 and 12 at laterally extending seams 16 and 17 so as to fasten those aps together.

The fabric of the web 15 is an inexpensive, strong and long-wearing material such as white muslin or sateen, the web material being of substantially lesser Weight per square foot than the decorative ilap material. By the use of such material for tne central portion of underpiece the cost and weight of such underpiece is made substantially less than if it were to be constituted of a heavy and expensive decorative fabric.

Overlying underpiece 10 is a rectangular fabric overpiece 20 having an extent in the lateral dimension of the altar `which is substantially coextensive with that of underpiece 10. In the longitudinal dimension of the altar, overpiece 10 is disposed in centered relation with the underpiece and has a width greater than web so that the outer longitudinal margin 21 of the overpiece overlap with the inner longitudinal margins 16 and 17 of the side flaps 11 and 12. Hence, the overpiece entirely covers and conceals from view the central non-decorative web 15 of the underpiece.

On the front side of altar 9, overpiece 20= is formed of a panel of a rich decorative material which may be, say, white damask and of which the facing seen in FIG. 1 provides the frontal panel display for the altar. The color of the decorative facing surface of the panel contrasts with the neutral color of the side aps 11 and 12. Panel 25 may have thereon a religious emblem, motif or symbol as, for example, the shown emblem 26 which may be an outline design formed of decorative thread or braiding which contrasts -with the background provided by the principal fabric of the panel.

Since the top of altar 9 is not visible to the congregation, from the point of view of appearance it is not necessary to have any rear portion for the overpiece. If, however, the overpiece had no rear portion, the weight of panel 25 would cause it to fall unless it were to be positively fastened to the Iunderpiece 10` as, say, by snap fasteners along the back margin of panel 25. Even then, however, the weight of the panel might cause distortion in the hang of the panel 25 and/ or the side flaps 11 and 12.

To avoid, therefore, the problems just mentioned, the overpiece 20 is provided with a rear sheet portion 30 which is stitched to panel 25 at the seam 31, and which acts as a counterweight for the frontal panel. Since its only function is as a counterweight, rear sheet portion 30 may be lconstituted of a fabric which is, say, the same as that used for web 15 (i.e., white muslin or Sateen), and which is less costly than the material of panel 25 both by virtue of being non-decorative and by virtue of having a lesser weight per square foot. Despite its lesser weight per square foot, sheet portion 30` has a greater lateral extent than panel 25, and therefore, a total weight approximating that of the panel so as to serve effectively as a counterweight for the panel. By employing such a rear counterweight sheet portion 30, the overpiece 20 stays in fixed relation with the underpiece when the overpiece is simply draped over the underpiece, and the use of an inexpensive, non-decorative, light fabric for the rearward portion 30y of the overpiece makes that overpiece lighter and less costly as a whole than of the overpiece were to be formed entirely of the expensive heavy decorative material providing panel 25.

FIG. 2 shows the complete altar vestment (underpiece 10 and overpiece 20) when draped over the altar 9. AS illustrated, the facing surface of panel 25 of overpiece 20 provides the displayed decorative frontal panel for altar 9, and the overpiece conceals beneath it the nondecorative central web 15 of underpiece 10. The decorative side flaps 11 and 12, have respective front portions 33 and 34 which face frontwar-ds, and which extend longitudinally outward of panel 25 to provide a neutral visible color background or field for the contrasting color of panel 25. Because of the rounded corners 13 (FIG. l) of the side flaps 11 and 12, at the corners of the altar the side flaps 11 and 12 fold down into flared-out skirts 35 which are rounded in plan view to provide an altar vestment of the Laudian style. Alternatively, the side flap corners 13 may be shaped to provide at each of the altar corners a flared-out skirt (not shown) which is pointed (in plan View) so as to be in the Iacobean style.

The altar furnishings are completed by a crucifix 36 centrally disposed on the top of the altar, Candlesticks 37 (with candles in them) on either side of the crucifix and a fair linen cloth 38 covering the altar brow and at least the forward part of its top.

The white damask facing of frontal panel 25 is appropriate for, say, the Christmas and Epiphany seasons of the church calendar year. Assume, however, it is desired to change the front panel from white to green in honor of Saint Prisca who is memorialized in a liturgical church on Ian. 18 (in 1967). Such color change is accomplished by simply lifting the overpiece 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 from the underpiece 10 and laying on that under piece the new overpiece 20' which is shown in FIG. 3. Such new overpiece has a new decorative frontal panel 25 of green color and a rear non-decorative fabric portion 30' similar to portion 30 of panel 25 and acting as a counterweight for the frontal panel 25. Also, the new overpiece 20 has on the frontal panel thereof a new ernblem 26 which is different from the cross emblem 26 of the old frontal panel 25, and which is the monogram formed of the initials II-IS (In Haec Signo).

Such emblem 26 may be an outline design provided by decorative thread or braiding, and the emblem may be flanked, as shown, by parallel orphreys 27' of such thread or braiding.

As so far described, each change in the frontal panel of the altar requires the replacement of a previously used overpiece by a new one. Such disadvantage (if it be considered one) can, however, be avoided by making the overpiece reversible in one of the following ways.

In FIG. 4, an overpiece 40 is divided into front and rear, differently colored, decorative panels 41 and 42 of equal extent in the lateral dimension of the altar and stitched together at the seam 43. Each panel has a facing side which is upward in FIG. 4. Assuming that panel 41 has previously been used as the frontal panel for the altar, it can be replaced by panel 42 by simply reversing the overpiece front to back with the same side of the overpiece being kept outward.

In the overpiece 44 of FIG. 5, two decorative panels 45 and 46 are secured back to back so that their decorative surfaces face outward in opposite directions. The combination of decorative panels 45 and 46 is stitched at seam 47 to a sheet 48 of non-decorative fabric similar to sheet 30 and providing a counterweight for the two decorative panels. Assuming, panel 45 has previously been used as the frontal panel for the altar, it can be replaced by reversing the overpiece 44 inside-to-outside to make panel 46 the upward and outward side of the overpiece.

In FIG. 6, the overpiece 50 is comprised of two decorative panels 51 and 52 secured back to back and another two decorative panels 53 and 54 secured back to back. The combination of panels 53, 54 is shown as being to the rearward of panel combination 51, 52 and is stitched to the panel combination 51, 52 at the seam 55. Any one of the four decorative panels 51-54 not then in use may be rendered the new frontal panel for the altar 9 by appropriate reversing of the overpiece front-to-back and/or inside-to-outside.

Among the advantages of the described altar vestments are the following. First, since changes in the color and/or design of the frontal panel of the altar can be made by simply replacing or reversing a previously used overpiece rather than replacing an entire altar cover, the expense of satisfying liturgical requirements is greatly reduced as compared to the previous practice of maintaining a full selection of different whole altar covers in order to meet such requirements. Second, the described overpieces are much lighter in weight than a whole altar cover and, accordingly, can be that much more easily changed. Third, for storage purposes, an overpiece of the sort described can be folded into a small package and put away in a drawer, whereas an entire altar cover must be specially hung. Fourth, it is easier and less costly to launder or clean the described overpieces than a whole altar cover.

Moreover, the described underpiece also has the advantages over a conventional altar cover in that (a) it iS less expensive to fabricate or purchase, (b) it need not be removed every time it is desired to change the color and/or design of the frontal panel of the altar, (c) on the infrequent occasions it is desired to remove the underpiece for cleaning or some other purpose, the underpiece is light in weight and can be easily lifted from the altar.

The above described embodiments being exemplary only, it is to be understood that additions thereto, moitications thereof and omissions therefrom can be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention comprehends embodiments differing in form and/or detail from those specifically described. For example, if desired, central web of the underpiece 10 may be eliminated by connecting the longitudinallyspaced laterally-extending edges of overpiece by slide fasteners or other fasteners to the side flaps 11 and 12 to thereby use the overpiece as the means connecting said side flaps together.

Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited save as is consonant with the recitals of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A religious article in the form of an altar vestment comprising, a first sheet fabric piece forming an underpiece adapted to be laid over an altar and to hang down therefrom to provide decorative fabric side flaps for the longitudinal side margins of said altar, said underpiece being comprised of said side aps and of a central fabric web constituted of material of lighter weight per square foot than the material of said flaps, and a changeable second sheet fabric piece forming an overpiece superposable on said underpiece and adapted to be laid over said altar and to hang down therefrom to provide a decorative frontal panel for the longitudinally central portion of the front of said altar, said overpiece being of greater longitudinal Width than said web and being adapted to longitudinally overlap with each of said iiaps so as to conceal from view the frontal portion of said web, and said overpiece being removable from said underpiece to permit changing of said frontal pattern while maintaining said underpiece in place on said altar.

2. A religious article in the form of an altar vestment comprising, a first sheet fabric underpiece adapted to be laid over an altar and to hang down therefrom to provide decorative side liaps for the longitudinal side margins of the front of said altar, and a changeable second sheet fabric overpiece adapted to be laid over said altar in superposed relation with said underpiece and to hang down therefrom to provide at least one decorative frontal panel for the longitudinally central portion of the front of said altar, said overpiece being comprised of a forward portion providing said one panel and of a rearward portion attached to said forward por-tion and constituted of a non-decorative fabric of lighter weight per square foot than said forward portion, and said overpiece being removable from said underpiece to permit changing of said frontal pattern -while maintaining said underpiece on said altar.

3. An altar vestment as in claim 2 in which said forward portion is comprised of two back-to-back decorative facings of which each is adapted by reversing of said overpiece inside-to-outside to provide said altar frontal panel.

4. A religious article in the form of an altar vestment comprising, a first sheet fabric underpieces adapted to be laid over an altar and to hang down therefrom to provide decorative side flaps for the longitudinal side margins of the front of said altar, and a changeable second sheet fabric overpiece adapted to be laid over said altar in superposed relation with said underpiece and to hang down therefrom to provide decorative frontal patterns for the longitudinally central portion of said altar, said overpiece being comprised of forward and rearward portions which are attached together, and which provide respective decorative facings of which each is adapted by reversing of said overpiece front-to-back to be used as said frontal panel for said altar, and said overpiece being removable from said underpiece to permit changing of said frontal pattern while maintaining said underpiece on said altar.

5. An altar vestment as in claim 4 in which said forward portion and said rearward portion of said overpiece are each comprised of two different back-to-back decorative facings to provide a total of four different decorative facings on said overpiece, each of said facings being adapted by appropriate reversing of said overpiece to be used as said frontal panel for said altar.

6. A religious article in the form of an altar vestment comprising, a first sheet fabric piece spreadable into at extended shape and drapeable over an altar to hang down therefrom to provide decorative side flaps for the longitudinal side margins of the front of said altar, and a changeable second sheet fabric piece spreadable into fiat extended shape and drapeable over said altar to hang down therefrom so as to provide for the longitudinally central portion of the front of said altar a decorative frontal panel extending to the lower margins of said side flaps, said second piece having relatively smaller and larger orthogonal dimensions, the ratio for said pieces when assembled together of the smaller dimension of said fiat extended second piece to the dimension in the same direction of said flat extended first piece being less in value than the ratio for said pieces when assembled together of the larger dimension of said at extended second piece to the dimension in the same direction of said flat extended first piece, and said second piece being removable from said first piece to permit changing of said frontal panel while maintaining said first piece in place on said altar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,332,776 3/1920 Sultanaki 150-52 2,728,165 12/1955 Runyon 150-52 2,809,466 lO/ 1957 Glover -52 DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 161-8, 40 

